EC gives Kejriwal more time to file reply

The Election Commission (EC) Monday gave two more days to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal to reply to its notice for violation of the model code of conduct.

"The commission has considered your request for extension of time for reply to notice dated Nov 20, 2013, for filing your reply and has decided to extend the time for reply as requested by you," the commission said in a communication to Kejriwal.

It asked him to reply to the notice by 11 a.m. Nov 27.

The EC last week sent notice to Kejriwal for asking Muslim electors to vote on religious grounds.

Kejriwal was given till 11 a.m. Nov 25 to reply as to why action should not be taken against him for violating the model poll code which does not allow appeals to voters on grounds of religion.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Harish Khurana complained to the EC regarding the AAP leader for distributing pamphlets containing appeals on religious grounds.

In the pamphlets in Hindi, Kejriwal had appealed to Muslim voters in Delhi to cast their ballot in favour of the party and referred to the BJP as a communal party.

"The commission has prima facie observed that by distributing the aforesaid pamphlets, you have violated the provisions of the model code of conduct," the EC said.